System for safely processing a fluid via monitoring and decreasing explosiveness

ABSTRACT

Safely processing fluid via monitoring and decreasing explosiveness of vapor-gas species formed therefrom, or contained therein. Fluid input unit  12 , for transporting source fluid  24 ; first fluid processing unit  14 , for receiving and processing fluid  26 , and forming processed fluid including vapor-gas portion  30 ; vapor-gas explosiveness monitoring and decreasing unit  16 , for measuring at least an indication of explosiveness level of vapor-gas portion  30 , wherein if the measurement exceeds a pre-determined threshold explosiveness level (PDTEL), then vapor-gas portion  30  is condensed, for forming condensate and output vapor-gas  32  whose explosiveness level is less than lower explosion limit (LEL) of output vapor-gas  32 ; second fluid processing unit  18 , for processing output vapor-gas  32 , and forming processed vapor-gas product  34 . Includes an output unit  20  for transporting processed vapor-gas product  34  as (vapor-gas, liquid, or/and solid) output products  36 , for disposal, storage, or/and additional processing, and a central process control unit  22.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a National Phase of PCT Patent Application No.PCT/IB2008/055567 having International filing date of Dec. 29, 2008,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/009,214 filed on Dec. 27, 2007. The contents of the aboveApplications are all incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to safelyprocessing a (liquid or vapor-gas) fluid, where the processing involvesvapor-gas species that are explosive, and more particularly, but notexclusively, to safely processing a fluid via monitoring and decreasingexplosiveness of vapor-gas species formed therefrom, or containedtherein. Some embodiments of the present invention are generallyrelevant to a wide variety of different fields of technology whichinvolve essentially any type or kind, and scale (size), of processing ofessentially any type or kind of liquid fluid or vapor-gas fluid, whereprocessing of the fluid involves explosive (combustible) vapor-gasspecies. Some embodiments of the present invention are generallyrelevant to those fields of technology which require safe processing ofa liquid or vapor-gas fluid that involves explosive (combustible)vapor-gas species being volatile (combustible) compounds, such asvolatile (combustible) organic or/and inorganic compounds. Someembodiments of the present invention are particularly relevant to thefield of technology which involves safe processing of a fluid, where thefluid is a liquid being contaminated water, such as industrialwastewater, contaminated with volatile (combustible) organic or/andinorganic compounds, and the processing is based on safely removing thewater contaminants from (i.e., decontaminating or purifying) thecontaminated water (wastewater). Some embodiments of the presentinvention are also particularly relevant to the field of technologywhich involves safe processing of a fluid, where the fluid is avapor-gas being contaminated air, such as industrial waste exhaust,contaminated with volatile (combustible) organic or/and inorganiccompounds, and the processing is based on safely removing the aircontaminants from (i.e., decontaminating or purifying) the contaminatedair (waste exhaust).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Processing of fluids, in general, and, processing of liquid or/andvapor-gas fluids, in particular; processing (decontaminating, purifying,treating, reacting, synthesizing) [contaminated (waste),non-contaminated (clean, pure)] [aqueous, non-aqueous] (liquid) fluidsor (vapor-gas) fluids; processing and handling of explosive(combustible) vapor-gas species, such as volatile (combustible) organicor/and inorganic compounds; and, physicochemical properties,characteristics, and behavior of explosive (combustible) vapor-gasspecies; theories, principles, and practices thereof, and, related andassociated applications and subjects thereof, are well known and taughtabout in scientific, technical, and patent, literature, and currentlypracticed in a wide variety of numerous different fields and areas oftechnology.

Essentially any type or kind, and scale (size), of processing ofessentially any type or kind of liquid fluid or vapor-gas fluid, whereprocessing of the fluid involves explosive (combustible) vapor-gasspecies, particularly where explosive (combustible) vapor-gas species(for example, as intermediate or final products) are formed whileprocessing the fluid, or are contained in the (initial or starting)fluid, is potentially dangerous due to the presence of the explosive(combustible) vapor-gas species. This applies to processing(decontaminating, purifying, treating, reacting) contaminated (waste)fluids that are in the form of aqueous or non-aqueous (liquid) fluids or(vapor-gas) fluids, as well as to processing (treating, reacting,synthesizing) non-contaminated (clean, pure) fluids that are in the formof aqueous or non-aqueous (liquid) fluids or (vapor-gas) fluids.Moreover, the preceding is applicable regardless of the scale (size) ofthe fluid processing, be it of a small size scale, such as thattypically associated with a research laboratory; or of a medium sizescale, such as that typically associated with a process/productdevelopment laboratory or facility, or associated with a pilot plantfacility; or of a large (commercial or industrial) size scale, such asthat typically associated with a commercial or industrial type ofmanufacturing, production, or processing facility. In each of thesecases, where explosive (combustible) vapor-gas species are formed whileprocessing the fluid, or are contained in the (initial or starting)fluid, there is potential (explosive) danger (to human life, as well asto physical infrastructure) due to the presence of the explosive(combustible) vapor-gas species.

For example, the applicant of the present invention has performedextensive work and developed inventions [e.g., as disclosed inreferences 1, 2] in the field(s) encompassing processing(decontaminating, purifying, treating, reacting (via thermal oxidation))industrial contaminated water (industrial wastewater), contaminated withvolatile (combustible) organic or/and inorganic compounds, whereexplosive (combustible) vapor-gas species are formed (as intermediate orfinal products), while processing the wastewater. As taught therein, insome embodiments, part of the overall wastewater treatment processinvolves the formation of explosive (combustible) vapor-gas species(particularly, those originating from volatile (combustible) organicor/and inorganic compounds contained in the wastewater). Such explosive(combustible) vapor-gas species exit as effluent from a steam stripperand are then fed as influent into a thermal oxidizer (for example, aregenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO)) for their destruction (via thermaloxidation). The effluent vapor-gas mixture exiting the steam stripper,and continuing downstream as influent for entering the thermal oxidizer(RTO), includes a particular composition or make-up (i.e., chemicaltypes and concentrations (distribution) thereof) of explosive(combustible) vapor-gas species, which at a given set of operatingconditions, can be analyzed for determining the ‘explosiveness level’(in terms of empirically measured or/and theoretically calculatedexplosive or flammability limits) of the vapor-gas mixture, which, inturn, is usable for determining whether the vapor-gas mixture can beconsidered as being ‘safe’ or ‘unsafe’ for continued processing, i.e.,via entering the thermal oxidizer (RTO).

In a first exemplary scenario, the applicant observed that, undercertain processing conditions, the effluent vapor-gas mixture exitingthe steam stripper, and intended for entering the thermal oxidizer(RTO), included a composition or make-up of explosive (combustible)vapor-gas species that was analyzed for determining a ‘safe’explosiveness level of the vapor-gas mixture, which, in turn, was usedfor determining that the vapor-gas mixture was considered as being‘safe’ for continued processing, via entering the thermal oxidizer(RTO). In this scenario, the thermal oxidizer (RTO) was allowed tocontinue operating for thermally oxidizing (destroying) the volatile(combustible) organic or/and inorganic compounds, and subsequently, theremainder of the overall wastewater treatment process was able tocontinue operating for processing (decontaminating, purifying) thewastewater.

In a second exemplary scenario, the applicant observed that, undercertain processing conditions, the effluent vapor-gas mixture exitingthe steam stripper, and intended for entering the thermal oxidizer(RTO), included a composition or make-up of explosive (combustible)vapor-gas species that was analyzed for determining an ‘unsafe’explosiveness level of the vapor-gas mixture, which, in turn, was usedfor determining that the vapor-gas mixture was considered as being‘unsafe’ for continued processing, via entering the thermal oxidizer(RTO). In this scenario, in strong contrast to the preceding scenario,the thermal oxidizer (RTO) was not allowed to continue operating forthermally oxidizing (destroying) the volatile (combustible) organicor/and inorganic compounds, whereby, the thermal oxidizer (RTO) waspromptly shut down, thereby preventing ‘unsafe’ operation of the thermaloxidizer (RTO), and subsequently, the remainder of the overallwastewater treatment process was not able to continue operating forprocessing (decontaminating, purifying) the wastewater.

According to the preceding first exemplary scenario, so long as theeffluent explosive (combustible) vapor-gas mixture exiting the steamstripper, and intended for entering the thermal oxidizer (RTO), wasdetermined as being ‘safe’, the thermal oxidizer (RTO) was allowed tocontinue operating for thermally oxidizing (destroying) the volatile(combustible) organic or/and inorganic compounds, and subsequently, theremainder of the overall wastewater treatment process was able tocontinue operating for processing (decontaminating, purifying) thewastewater. However, according to the preceding second exemplaryscenario, when the effluent explosive (combustible) vapor-gas mixtureexiting the steam stripper, and intended for entering the thermaloxidizer (RTO), was determined as being ‘unsafe’, the thermal oxidizer(RTO) was shut down and not allowed to continue operating for thermallyoxidizing (destroying) the volatile (combustible) organic or/andinorganic compounds, and subsequently, the remainder of the overallwastewater treatment process was not able to continue operating forprocessing (decontaminating, purifying) the wastewater.

The second exemplary scenario resulted in two main problems: first, asubstantial amount of process ‘down time’, and second, having toproperly deal with, and separately process, in a ‘safe’ andenvironmentally friendly manner, the ‘unsafe’ explosive (combustible)vapor-gas mixture exiting the steam stripper, that was supposed to enterthe thermal oxidizer (RTO) for being thermally oxidized (destroyed).Both of these main problems translated to requiring significantexpenditure of undesirable costs associated with time and (human,equipment) resources, especially with respect to processing(decontaminating, purifying) the wastewater on a large (commercial orindustrial) size scale.

The preceding described second exemplary scenario illustrates just oneexample of significant problems and limitations associated withattempting to safely process a (liquid or vapor-gas) fluid, where theprocessing involves vapor-gas species that are explosive. Similar typesof ‘problematic’ scenarios are generally relevant to essentially anytype or kind, and scale (size), of processing of essentially any type orkind of liquid fluid or vapor-gas fluid, where processing of the fluidinvolves explosive (combustible) vapor-gas species. Moreover, such typesof ‘problematic’ scenarios are certainly not limited to the field(s)encompassing processing (decontaminating, purifying, treating, reacting(via thermal oxidation)) industrial contaminated water (industrialwastewater), contaminated with volatile (combustible) organic or/andinorganic compounds, where explosive (combustible) vapor-gas species areformed (as intermediate or final products), while processing thewastewater. Such types of ‘problematic’ scenarios are generally relevantto a wide variety of different fields of technology which involve fluidprocessing, and the need for ‘safely’ processing of fluids, whereprocessing of the fluid involves explosive (combustible) vapor-gasspecies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments of the present invention address and overcome the abovedescribed ‘problematic’ scenarios relating to processing of fluids.

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to safelyprocessing a (liquid or vapor-gas) fluid, where the processing involvesvapor-gas species that are explosive, and more particularly, but notexclusively, to safely processing a fluid via monitoring and decreasingexplosiveness of vapor-gas species formed therefrom, or containedtherein. Some embodiments of the present invention are generallyapplicable to essentially any type or kind, and scale (size), ofprocessing of essentially any type or kind of liquid fluid or vapor-gasfluid, where processing of the fluid involves explosive (combustible)vapor-gas species. Some embodiments of the present invention aregenerally applicable to safely processing a liquid or vapor-gas fluidwhich involves explosive (combustible) vapor-gas species being volatile(combustible) compounds, such as volatile (combustible) organic or/andinorganic compounds. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention,the fluid is a liquid being contaminated water, such as industrialwastewater, contaminated with volatile (combustible) organic or/andinorganic compounds, and the processing is based on safely removing thewater contaminants from (i.e., decontaminating or purifying) thecontaminated water (wastewater). In other exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention, the fluid is a vapor-gas being contaminated air, suchas industrial waste exhaust, contaminated with volatile (combustible)organic or/and inorganic compounds, and the processing is based onsafely removing the air contaminants from (i.e., decontaminating orpurifying) the contaminated air (waste exhaust).

Thus, according to a main aspect of some embodiments of the presentinvention, there is provided a method for safely processing a fluid, themethod comprising: receiving and transporting the fluid; processing thefluid, for forming a processed fluid including a vapor-gas portion;measuring at least an indication of explosiveness level of the vapor-gasportion, wherein if the measurement of the vapor-gas portion exceeds apre-determined threshold explosiveness level (PDTEL), then part of thevapor-gas portion is condensed, for forming a condensate, and an outputvapor-gas whose explosiveness level is less than lower explosion limit(LEL) of the output vapor-gas; and processing the output vapor-gas, forforming processed vapor-gas product; and processing the outputvapor-gas, for forming processed vapor-gas product.

More specifically, in relation to main components of a correspondingsystem, according to a main aspect of some embodiments of the presentinvention, there is provided a method for safely processing a fluid, themethod comprising: receiving and transporting the fluid, by a fluidinput unit; processing the fluid, for forming a processed fluidincluding a vapor-gas portion, by a first fluid processing unit(operatively connected to the fluid input unit); measuring at least anindication of explosiveness level of the vapor-gas portion, wherein ifthe measurement of the vapor-gas portion exceeds a pre-determinedthreshold explosiveness level (PDTEL), then part of the vapor-gasportion is condensed, for forming a condensate, and an output vapor-gaswhose explosiveness level is less than lower explosion limit (LEL) ofthe output vapor-gas, by a vapor-gas explosiveness monitoring anddecreasing unit (operatively connected to the first fluid processingunit); and processing the output vapor-gas, for forming processedvapor-gas product, by a second fluid processing unit (operativelyconnected to the vapor-gas explosiveness monitoring and decreasingunit).

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the methodfurther includes receiving and transporting the processed vapor-gasproduct, by an output unit (operatively connected to the second fluidprocessing unit).

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the methodfurther includes centrally process controlling each of the steps of themethod, by a central process control unit (operatively connected to eachof the fluid input unit, the first fluid processing unit, the vapor-gasexplosiveness monitoring and decreasing unit, the second fluidprocessing unit, and optionally, the output unit).

According to another main aspect of some embodiments of the presentinvention, there is provided a method for monitoring and decreasingexplosiveness of a vapor-gas, the method comprising: receiving andtransporting the vapor-gas; measuring at least an indication ofexplosiveness level of the vapor-gas, wherein if the measurement of thevapor-gas exceeds a pre-determined threshold explosiveness level(PDTEL), then part of the vapor-gas is condensed, for forming acondensate, and an output vapor-gas whose explosiveness level is lessthan lower explosion limit (LEL) of the output vapor-gas; and receivingand transporting the output vapor-gas.

More specifically, in relation to main components of a correspondingunit (device), according to another main aspect of some embodiments ofthe present invention, there is provided a method for monitoring anddecreasing explosiveness of a vapor-gas, the method comprising:receiving and transporting the vapor-gas, by a vapor-gas input assembly;measuring at least an indication of explosiveness level of thevapor-gas, wherein if the measurement of the vapor-gas exceeds apre-determined threshold explosiveness level (PDTEL), then part of thevapor-gas is condensed, for forming a condensate, and an outputvapor-gas whose explosiveness level is less than lower explosion limit(LEL) of the output vapor-gas, by a vapor-gas explosiveness levelmeasuring mechanism (operatively connected to the vapor-gas inputassembly); and receiving and transporting the output vapor-gas, by avapor-gas output assembly (operatively connected to the vapor-gasexplosiveness level measuring mechanism).

According to another main aspect of some embodiments of the presentinvention, there is provided a system for safely processing a fluid,comprising: a fluid input unit, suitable for receiving and transportingthe fluid; a first fluid processing unit, suitable for being operativelyconnected to the fluid input unit, for receiving and processing thefluid, and for forming a processed fluid including a vapor-gas portion;a vapor-gas explosiveness monitoring and decreasing unit, suitable forbeing operatively connected to the first fluid processing unit, forreceiving, and, for measuring at least an indication of explosivenesslevel of, the vapor-gas portion, wherein if the measurement of thevapor-gas portion exceeds a pre-determined threshold explosiveness level(PDTEL), then part of the vapor-gas portion is condensed, for forming acondensate, and an output vapor-gas whose explosiveness level is lessthan lower explosion limit (LEL) of the output vapor-gas; and a secondfluid processing unit, suitable for being operatively connected to thevapor-gas explosiveness monitoring and processing unit, for receivingand processing the output vapor-gas, and for forming processed vapor-gasproduct.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the systemfurther includes an output unit, suitable for being operativelyconnected to the second fluid processing unit, for receiving andtransporting the processed vapor-gas product.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the systemfurther includes a central process control unit, suitable for beingoperatively connected to each of the fluid input unit, the first fluidprocessing unit, the vapor-gas explosiveness monitoring and decreasingunit, the second fluid processing unit, and optionally, the output unit,for enabling central process control of each of these system units.

According to another main aspect of some embodiments of the presentinvention, there is provided a vapor-gas explosiveness monitoring anddecreasing unit for monitoring and decreasing explosiveness of avapor-gas, comprising: a vapor-gas input assembly, suitable forreceiving and transporting the vapor-gas; a vapor-gas condensing device,suitable for being operatively connected to the vapor-gas inputassembly, and for receiving and transporting the vapor-gas; a vapor-gasexplosiveness level measuring mechanism, suitable for being operativelyconnected to the vapor-gas condensing device, and for measuring at leastan indication of explosiveness level of the vapor-gas, wherein if themeasurement of the vapor-gas exceeds a pre-determined thresholdexplosiveness level (PDTEL), then the vapor-gas condensing devicecondenses part of the vapor-gas for forming a condensate, and an outputvapor-gas whose explosiveness level is less than lower explosion limit(LEL) of the output vapor-gas; and a vapor-gas output assembly, suitablefor being operatively connected to the vapor-gas condensing device, forreceiving and transporting the output vapor-gas.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, thepre-determined threshold explosiveness level (PDTEL) is equal to 75%(0.75) of the LEL (lower explosion limit) of the vapor-gas portion.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, thepre-determined threshold explosiveness level (PDTEL) is equal to 50%(0.50) of the LEL (lower explosion limit) of the vapor-gas portion.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, thepre-determined threshold explosiveness level (PDTEL) is equal to 25%(0.25) of the LEL (lower explosion limit) of the vapor-gas portion.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, measurement ofthe vapor-gas portion does not exceed the pre-determined thresholdexplosiveness level (PDTEL), then the vapor-gas portion is notcondensed, for forming (non-condensed) output vapor-gas whoseexplosiveness level is less than the lower explosion limit (LEL) of theoutput vapor-gas.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the vapor-gasportion is condensed by a vapor-gas condensing device.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the vapor-gascondensing device is activated by a vapor-gas explosiveness levelmeasuring mechanism.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the measuring isperformed by a vapor-gas explosiveness level measuring mechanism.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the measuring isperformed at a position or location downstream from a vapor-gascondensing device, at a time after the output vapor-gas exits avapor-gas condensing device.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the measuring isalso performed at a position or location upstream from a vapor-gasoutput assembly, at a time before the output vapor-gas enters avapor-gas output assembly.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the measuring isfirst performed at a position or location downstream from a vapor-gasinput assembly, at a time after the vapor-gas portion exits a vapor-gasinput assembly.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the measuring isalso performed at a position or location upstream from a vapor-gascondensing device, at a time before the vapor-gas portion enters thevapor-gas condensing device.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the measuring isalso performed at a position or location downstream from the vapor-gascondensing device, at a time after the output vapor-gas exits thevapor-gas condensing device.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, processing ofthe output vapor-gas is performed by an oxidizer.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the oxidizer isa thermal oxidizer.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the thermaloxidizer is a regenerative thermal oxidizer.

Some embodiments of the present invention are implemented by performingsteps or procedures, and sub-steps or sub-procedures, in a mannerselected from the group consisting of manually, semi-automatically,fully automatically, and a combination thereof, involving use andoperation of system units, system sub-units, devices, assemblies,sub-assemblies, mechanisms, structures, components, and elements, and,peripheral equipment, utilities, accessories, and materials. Moreover,according to actual steps or procedures, sub-steps or sub-procedures,system units, system sub-units, devices, assemblies, sub-assemblies,mechanisms, structures, components, and elements, and, peripheralequipment, utilities, accessories, and materials, used for implementinga particular embodiment of the disclosed invention, the steps orprocedures, and sub-steps or sub-procedures, are performed by usinghardware, software, or/and an integrated combination thereof, and thesystem units, sub-units, devices, assemblies, sub-assemblies,mechanisms, structures, components, and elements, and, peripheralequipment, utilities, accessories, and materials, operate by usinghardware, software, or/and an integrated combination thereof.

For example, software used, via an operating system, for implementingsome embodiments of the present invention can include operativelyinterfaced, integrated, connected, or/and functioning written or/andprinted data, in the form of software programs, software routines,software sub-routines, software symbolic languages, software code,software instructions or protocols, software algorithms, or acombination thereof. For example, hardware used for implementing someembodiments of the present invention can include operatively interfaced,integrated, connected, or/and functioning electrical, electronic or/andelectromechanical system units, sub-units, devices, assemblies,sub-assemblies, mechanisms, structures, components, and elements, and,peripheral equipment, utilities, accessories, and materials, which mayinclude one or more computer chips, integrated circuits, electroniccircuits, electronic sub-circuits, hard-wired electrical circuits, or acombination thereof, involving digital or/and analog operations. Someembodiments of the present invention can be implemented by using anintegrated combination of the just described exemplary software andhardware.

In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, steps or procedures,and sub-steps or sub-procedures, can be performed by a data processor,such as a computing platform, for executing a plurality of instructions.Optionally, the data processor includes volatile memory for storinginstructions or/and data, or/and includes non-volatile storage, forexample, a magnetic hard-disk or/and removable media, for storinginstructions or/and data. Optionally, exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention include a network connection. Optionally, exemplaryembodiments of the present invention include a display device and a userinput device, such as a keyboard or/and ‘mouse’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are herein described, by wayof example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Withspecific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed thatthe particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes ofillustrative description of some embodiments of the present invention.In this regard, the description taken together with the accompanyingdrawings make apparent to those skilled in the art how the embodimentsof the present invention may be practiced.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a (block-type) flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of themain steps (procedures) of the method (‘the safe fluid processingmethod’) for safely processing a fluid via monitoring and decreasingexplosiveness of vapor-gas species formed therefrom, or containedtherein, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment ofthe main components of the system (‘the safe fluid processing system’)for safely processing a fluid via monitoring and decreasingexplosiveness of vapor-gas species formed therefrom, or containedtherein, which can be used for implementing the exemplary embodiment ofthe method presented in FIG. 1, in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment ofthe main components of the vapor-gas explosiveness monitoring anddecreasing unit, included in the exemplary embodiment of the systemillustrated in FIG. 2, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment ofthe vapor-gas explosiveness monitoring and decreasing unit (asillustrated in FIG. 3), shown operatively connected to (optional)additional fluid processing components, in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment ofthe main components, and additional fluid processing components, of asystem for safely processing (decontaminating, purifying) a contaminated(liquid) fluid, such as contaminated water (wastewater), via monitoringand decreasing explosiveness of vapor-gas species formed therefrom,which can be used for implementing the exemplary embodiment of themethod presented in FIG. 1, in accordance with the present invention;and

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment ofthe main components, and additional fluid processing components, of asystem for safely processing (decontaminating, purifying) a contaminated(vapor-gas) fluid, such as contaminated air (waste exhaust), viamonitoring and decreasing explosiveness of vapor-gas species containedtherein, which can be used for implementing the exemplary embodiment ofthe method presented in FIG. 1, in accordance with the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to safelyprocessing a (liquid or vapor-gas) fluid, where the processing involvesvapor-gas species that are explosive, and more particularly, but notexclusively, to safely processing a fluid via monitoring and decreasingexplosiveness of vapor-gas species formed therefrom, or containedtherein. The present invention is generally applicable to essentiallyany type or kind, and scale (size), of processing of essentially anytype or kind of liquid fluid or vapor-gas fluid, where processing of thefluid involves explosive (combustible) vapor-gas species. Someembodiments of the present invention are generally applicable to safelyprocessing a liquid or vapor-gas fluid which involves explosive(combustible) vapor-gas species being volatile (combustible) compounds,such as volatile (combustible) organic or/and inorganic compounds. Inexemplary embodiments of the present invention, the fluid is a liquidbeing contaminated water, such as industrial wastewater, contaminatedwith volatile (combustible) organic or/and inorganic compounds, and theprocessing is based on safely removing the water contaminants from(i.e., decontaminating or purifying) the contaminated water(wastewater). In other exemplary embodiments of the present invention,the fluid is a vapor-gas being contaminated air, such as industrialwaste exhaust, contaminated with volatile (combustible) organic or/andinorganic compounds, and the processing is based on safely removing theair contaminants from (i.e., decontaminating or purifying) thecontaminated air (waste exhaust).

A main aspect of some embodiments of the present invention is provisionof a method for safely processing a fluid, the method including thefollowing main steps or procedures, and, components and functionalitiesthereof: (a) receiving and transporting the fluid, by a fluid inputunit; (b) processing the fluid, for forming a processed fluid includinga vapor-gas portion, by a first fluid processing unit (operativelyconnected to the fluid input unit); (c) measuring at least an indicationof explosiveness level of the vapor-gas portion, wherein if themeasurement of the vapor-gas portion exceeds a pre-determined thresholdexplosiveness level (PDTEL), then part of the vapor-gas portion iscondensed, for forming a condensate, and an output vapor-gas whoseexplosiveness level is less than lower explosion limit (LEL) of theoutput vapor-gas, by a vapor-gas explosiveness monitoring and decreasingunit (operatively connected to the first fluid processing unit); and (d)processing the output vapor-gas, for forming processed vapor-gasproduct, by a second fluid processing unit (operatively connected to thevapor-gas explosiveness monitoring and decreasing unit).

Some embodiments of the method further include: receiving andtransporting the processed vapor-gas product, by an output unit(operatively connected to the second fluid processing unit).

Some embodiments of the method further include: centrally processcontrolling each of the steps of the method, by a central processcontrol unit (operatively connected to each of the fluid input unit, thefirst fluid processing unit, the vapor-gas explosiveness monitoring anddecreasing unit, the second fluid processing unit, and optionally, theoutput unit).

By way of main step (c) being a sub-combination of the method,therefore, the present invention, in some embodiments thereof, alsofeatures a method for monitoring and decreasing explosiveness of avapor-gas. Accordingly, another main aspect of some embodiments of thepresent invention is provision of a method for monitoring and decreasingexplosiveness of a vapor-gas, the method including the following mainsteps or procedures, and, components and functionalities thereof: (a)receiving and transporting the vapor-gas, by a vapor-gas input assembly;(b) measuring at least an indication of explosiveness level of thevapor-gas, wherein if the measurement of the vapor-gas exceeds apre-determined threshold explosiveness level (PDTEL), then part of thevapor-gas is condensed, for forming a condensate, and an outputvapor-gas whose explosiveness level is less than lower explosion limit(LEL) of the output vapor-gas, by a vapor-gas explosiveness levelmeasuring mechanism (operatively connected to the vapor-gas inputassembly); and receiving and transporting the output vapor-gas, by avapor-gas output assembly (operatively connected to the vapor-gasexplosiveness level measuring mechanism).

Another main aspect of some embodiments of the present invention isprovision of a corresponding system for safely processing a fluid, thesystem including the following main components and functionalitiesthereof: (a) a fluid input unit, configured for receiving andtransporting the fluid; a first fluid processing unit, configured forbeing operatively connected to the fluid input unit, for receiving andprocessing the fluid, and for forming a processed fluid including avapor-gas portion; (b) a vapor-gas explosiveness monitoring anddecreasing unit, configured for being operatively connected to the firstfluid processing unit, for receiving, and, for measuring at least anindication of explosiveness level of, the vapor-gas portion, wherein ifthe measurement of the vapor-gas portion exceeds a pre-determinedthreshold explosiveness level (PDTEL), then part of the vapor-gasportion is condensed, for forming a condensate, and an output vapor-gaswhose explosiveness level is less than lower explosion limit (LEL) ofthe output vapor-gas; and (c) a second fluid processing unit, configuredfor being operatively connected to the vapor-gas explosivenessmonitoring and processing unit, for receiving and processing the outputvapor-gas, and for forming processed vapor-gas product.

Some embodiments of the system further include: (d) an output unit,configured for being operatively connected to the second fluidprocessing unit, for receiving and transporting the processed vapor-gasproduct.

Some embodiments of the system further include: (e) a central processcontrol unit, configured for being operatively connected to each of thefluid input unit, the first fluid processing unit, the vapor-gasexplosiveness monitoring and decreasing unit, the second fluidprocessing unit, and optionally, the output unit, for enabling centralprocess control of each of these system units.

By way of the vapor-gas explosiveness monitoring and processing unitbeing a sub-combination of the system, therefore, the present invention,in some embodiments thereof, also features a device, corresponding tothe vapor-gas explosiveness monitoring and processing unit, formonitoring and decreasing explosiveness of a vapor-gas. Accordingly,another main aspect of some embodiments of the present invention isprovision of a vapor-gas explosiveness monitoring and processing unit,for monitoring and decreasing explosiveness of a vapor-gas. Thevapor-gas explosiveness monitoring and processing unit, in someembodiments, includes the following main components and functionalitiesthereof: (a) a vapor-gas input assembly, configured for receiving andtransporting the vapor-gas; (b) a vapor-gas condensing device,configured for being operatively connected to the vapor-gas inputassembly, and for receiving and transporting the vapor-gas; (c) avapor-gas explosiveness level measuring mechanism, configured for beingoperatively connected to the vapor-gas condensing device, and formeasuring at least an indication of explosiveness level of thevapor-gas, wherein if the measurement of the vapor-gas exceeds apre-determined threshold explosiveness level (PDTEL), then the vapor-gascondensing device condenses part of the vapor-gas for forming acondensate, and an output vapor-gas whose explosiveness level is lessthan lower explosion limit (LEL) of the output vapor-gas; and (d) avapor-gas output assembly, configured for being operatively connected tothe vapor-gas condensing device, for receiving and transporting theoutput vapor-gas.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the pre-determinedthreshold explosiveness level (PDTEL) is equal to 75% (0.75) of the LEL(Lower Explosion Limit) of the vapor-gas. In some embodiments of thepresent invention, the pre-determined threshold explosiveness level(PDTEL) is equal to 50% (0.50) of the LEL (Lower Explosion Limit) of thevapor-gas. In some embodiments of the present invention, thepre-determined threshold explosiveness level (PDTEL) is equal to 25%(0.25) of the LEL (Lower Explosion Limit) of the vapor-gas.

Based on the above stated main aspects, some embodiments of the presentinvention include several special technical features, and, aspects ofnovelty and inventiveness over prior art teachings in the relevantfields and arts of fluid processing, in general, and of safelyprocessing a (liquid or vapor-gas) fluid, in particular, where the fluidprocessing involves vapor-gas species that are explosive.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of the order or sequence, and number, ofsteps or procedures, and sub-steps or sub-procedures, of operation orimplementation of some embodiments of the method/process, or to thedetails of type, composition, construction, arrangement, order, andnumber, of the system units, system sub-units, devices, assemblies,sub-assemblies, mechanisms, structures, components, elements, andconfigurations, and, peripheral equipment, utilities, accessories,chemical reagents, and materials, of some embodiments of the system andunit (device), set forth in the following illustrative description,accompanying drawings, and examples, unless otherwise specificallystated herein.

For example, in the following, in order to illustrate implementation ofsome embodiments of the present invention, there is providedillustrative description of an exemplary (specific) embodiment of themain components, and additional fluid processing components, of a systemfor safely processing (decontaminating, purifying) a contaminated(liquid) fluid, such as contaminated water (wastewater), via monitoringand decreasing explosiveness of vapor-gas species formed therefrom,which can be used for implementing the exemplary embodiment of the(generalized) method, in accordance with the present invention.Additionally, for example, in the following, in order to illustrateimplementation of other embodiments of the present invention, there isalso provided illustrative description of an exemplary (specific)embodiment of the main components, and additional fluid processingcomponents, of a system for safely processing (decontaminating,purifying) a contaminated (vapor-gas) fluid, such as contaminated air(waste exhaust), via monitoring and decreasing explosiveness ofvapor-gas species contained therein, which can be used for implementingthe exemplary embodiment of the (generalized) method, in accordance withthe present invention.

It is to be fully understood that some embodiments of the presentinvention are generally applicable to essentially any type or kind, andscale (size), of processing of essentially any type or kind of liquidfluid or vapor-gas fluid, where processing of the fluid involvesessentially any type or kind of explosive (combustible) vapor-gasspecies. It is also to be fully understood that some embodiments of thepresent invention are generally applicable to safely processing a liquidor vapor-gas fluid which involves explosive (combustible) vapor-gasspecies being essentially any type or kind of volatile (combustible)compounds, such as volatile (combustible) organic or/and inorganiccompounds. Accordingly, the present invention can be practiced orimplemented according to various alternative embodiments and in variousalternative ways.

It is also to be understood that all technical and scientific words,terms, or/and phrases, used herein throughout the present disclosurehave either the identical or similar meaning as commonly understood byone of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs, unlessotherwise specifically defined or stated herein. Phraseology,terminology, and, notation, employed herein throughout the presentdisclosure are for the purpose of description and should not be regardedas limiting. For example, in the illustrative description of someembodiments of the present invention, there are general and specificreferences to, and uses of, the key technical terms and phrases:‘processing’, ‘fluid’, ‘liquid’, ‘vapor-gas’, ‘explosive’,‘explosiveness level’, and ‘explosion limit (LEL)’, among various otherkey technical terms and phrases, in order to illustrate implementationof some embodiments of the present invention.

Moreover, all technical and scientific words, terms, or/and phrases,introduced, defined, described, or/and exemplified, in the above Fieldand Background sections, are equally or similarly applicable in theillustrative description of the embodiments, examples, and appendedclaims, of the present invention. Immediately following are selecteddefinitions and exemplary usages of words, terms, or/and phrases, whichare used throughout the illustrative description of embodiments,examples, and appended claims, of the present invention, and areespecially relevant for understanding thereof.

Each of the following terms written in singular grammatical form: ‘a’,‘an’, and ‘the’, as used herein, may also refer to, and encompass, aplurality of the stated entity or object, unless otherwise specificallydefined or stated herein, or, unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise. For example, the phrases ‘a unit’, ‘a device’, an assembly,‘a mechanism’, ‘a component’, and ‘an element’, as used herein, may alsorefer to, and encompass, a plurality of units, a plurality of devices, aplurality of assemblies, a plurality of mechanisms, a plurality ofcomponents, and a plurality of elements, respectively. Additionally, forexample, the phrase ‘a compound’ may also refer to, and encompass, aplurality of compounds, or/and mixtures thereof. Additionally, forexample, the phrase ‘a vapor-gas species’ may also refer to, andencompass, a plurality of vapor-gas species, or/and mixtures thereof.

Each of the following terms: ‘includes’, ‘including’, ‘has’, ‘having’,‘comprises’, and ‘comprising’, and, their linguistic/grammaticalvariants, derivatives, or/and conjugates, as used herein, means‘including, but not limited to’.

The phrase ‘operatively connected’, as used herein, equivalently refersto the corresponding synonymous phrases ‘operatively joined’, and‘operatively attached’, where the operative connection, operative joint,or operative attachment, is according to a physical, or/and electrical,or/and electronic, or/and mechanical, or/and electro-mechanical, manneror nature, involving various types and kinds of hardware or/and softwareequipment and components.

The term ‘processing’, as used herein, refers to putting a (liquid orvapor-gas) fluid through the steps of a prescribed method, process, orprocedure. The term ‘processing’, as used herein, also refers topreparing, treating, or converting, by subjecting a (liquid orvapor-gas) fluid to the steps of a prescribed method, process, orprocedure. Exemplary specific types or kinds of fluid processing, whichare suitable for implementing some embodiments of the present invention,are: decontaminating, purifying, treating, reacting, and synthesizing.Moreover, any of these specific types or kinds of fluid processing mayinclude, or involve, specific types or kinds of processing that arebased on destruction/destructing, removal/removing, of an entire (liquidor vapor-gas) fluid, or of components or species of a (liquid orvapor-gas) fluid. Moreover, any of these specific types or kinds offluid processing may include, or involve, more specific types or kindsof processing that are based on stripping, combustion, oxidation,condensation, distillation, vaporization, or/and compression, of anentire (liquid or vapor-gas) fluid, or of components or species of a(liquid or vapor-gas) fluid. Moreover, exemplary specific types or kindsof processing based on oxidation, may include, or involve, thermaloxidation, or/and thermal-catalytic oxidation

The term ‘fluid’, as used herein, refers to a state of matter, such asliquid, vapor, or gas, in which the component particles (generallymolecules) can move past one another. More technically, the term‘fluid’, as used herein, refers to a substance that continually deforms(flows) under an applied shear stress. All liquids, vapors, and gasesare considered fluids.

The term ‘liquid’, as used herein, refers to the state of matter inwhich a substance exhibits a characteristic readiness to flow, little orno tendency to disperse, and relatively high incompressibility. Moretechnically, the term ‘liquid’, as used herein, refers to one of theprincipal states of matter. A liquid is a fluid that has the particlesloose and can freely form a distinct surface at the boundaries of itsbulk material.

The term ‘gas’, as used herein, refers to one of the phases of matter; asubstance in the gaseous state; a compressible fluid phase. Moretechnically, the term ‘gas’, as used herein, refers to the state ofmatter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by relatively lowdensity and viscosity, relatively great expansion and contraction withchanges in pressure and temperature, the ability to diffuse readily, andthe spontaneous tendency to become distributed uniformly throughout anycontainer.

The term ‘vapor’, as used herein, refers to barely visible or cloudydiffused matter, such as mist, fumes, or smoke, suspended in the air.More technically, the term ‘vapor’, as used herein, refers to thegaseous state of a substance that is liquid or solid under ordinaryconditions, and refers to the state of a substance that exists below itscritical temperature and that may be liquefied (or solidified) byapplication of sufficient pressure. Additionally, a vapor is considereda substance in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its criticaltemperature, whereby the vapor can be condensed to a liquid (or solid)by increasing its pressure, without reducing the temperature.

The term ‘vapor-gas’, as used herein, refers to any one of thefollowing: gas, vapor, or a mixture of gas and vapor. The term‘vapor-gas’ is generally, and collectively, used with respect to gasor/and vapor types, states, or/and phases of matter, since an importantaspect of some embodiments of the present invention relates to thosetypes or kinds of a ‘vapor-gas’ having the particular physicochemicalproperty, characteristic, and behavior of being ‘explosive (combustible,flammable, ignitable, burnable)’, and not to those particularphysicochemical properties, characteristics, or behavior, which may berelevant for technically distinguishing between a gas and a vapor, ormixtures thereof.

The phrase ‘vapor-gas species’, as used herein, generally refers to anytype or kind of a vapor-gas type, state, or/and phase, of matter, or, toany type or kind of component thereof. Such a component of the vapor-gasmay be a single or individual pure substance or material of matter (suchas an element, or a compound), or may be a combination of single orindividual pure substances or materials of matter (such as a compound),or may be a mixture of single or individual pure substances or materialsof matter (such as a mixture of elements, a mixture of compounds, or amixture of elements and compounds).

The terms ‘explosive’, as used herein, refers to descriptivecharacterization of a substance or material of matter, particularly, avapor-gas species, that has physicochemical properties, characteristics,and behavior, relating to or having the nature of tendency (potential)to explode or cause to explode, or capability to explode or cause toexplode. The term ‘explosive’, as used herein, also refers todescriptive characterization of a substance or material of matter,particularly, a vapor-gas species, that may undergo, or undergoes, arapid chemical change (with the production of gas) on being heated orstruck. The term ‘explosive’, as used herein, also refers to descriptivecharacterization of a substance or material of matter, particularly, avapor-gas species, that undergoes decomposition or combustion with greatrapidity, evolving much heat and producing a large volume of gas. Theterm ‘explosive’ can be considered synonymous with the term‘combustible’, ‘flammable’, or ‘ignitable’.

The term ‘explosiveness’, as used herein, refers to the state orcondition of a substance or material of matter, particularly, avapor-gas species, that is explosive (as defined above).

The phrase ‘explosiveness level’ (EL), as used herein, refers to thelevel (i.e., extent or magnitude) of explosiveness of a substance ormaterial of matter, particularly, a vapor-gas species.

The phrase ‘explosion limit’, as used herein, refers to the proportionof combustible gases (vapors, gases) in a mixture, between which limitsthis mixture is explosive, combustible, or flammable. Gas (vapor,vapor-gas) mixtures consisting of combustible, oxidizing, and inertgases (vapors) are only explosive, combustible, or flammable undercertain conditions. The lower explosion limit (LEL) describes theleanest mixture that is still explosive, combustible, or flammable, i.e.the mixture with the smallest fraction of explosive, combustible, orflammable, gas (vapor, vapor-gas), while the upper explosion limit (UEL)gives the richest explosive, combustible, or flammable, mixture. Thelower explosion limit (LEL), also known as the lower flammability limit(LFL), of a mixture of several combustible gases (vapor-gases) can becalculated using Le Chatelier's mixing rule for explosive (combustible)volume fractions x_(i):

${LFL}_{mix} = \frac{1}{\sum\frac{x_{i}}{{LFL}_{i}}}$

In view of the above selected definitions and exemplary usages of words,terms, or/and phrases, which are used throughout the illustrativedescription of embodiments, examples, and appended claims, of thepresent invention, it is to be fully understood that some embodiments ofthe present invention are generally applicable to essentially any typeor kind, and scale (size), of processing of essentially any type or kindof liquid fluid or vapor-gas fluid, where processing of the fluidinvolves essentially any type or kind of explosive (combustible)vapor-gas species, and, it is also to be fully understood that someembodiments of the present invention are generally applicable to safelyprocessing a liquid or vapor-gas fluid which involves explosive(combustible) vapor-gas species being essentially any type or kind ofvolatile (combustible) compounds, such as volatile (combustible) organicor/and inorganic compounds.

The term ‘about’, as used herein, refers to ±10% of the stated numericalvalue.

The phrase ‘room temperature’, as used herein, refers to a temperaturein a range of between about 20° C. and about 25° C.

Throughout the illustrative description of the embodiments, theexamples, and the appended claims, of the present invention, a numericalvalue of a parameter, feature, object, or dimension, may be stated ordescribed in terms of a numerical range format. It is to be fullyunderstood that the stated numerical range format is provided forillustrating implementation of some embodiments of the presentinvention, and is not to be understood or construed as inflexiblylimiting the scope of some embodiments of the present invention.

Accordingly, a stated or described numerical range also refers to, andencompasses, all possible sub-ranges and individual numerical values(where a numerical value may be expressed as a whole, integral, orfractional number) within that stated or described numerical range. Forexample, a stated or described numerical range from 1 to 6′ also refersto, and encompasses, all possible sub-ranges, such as from 1 to 3′, from1 to 4′, from 1 to 5′, from 2 to 4′, from 2 to 6′, from 3 to 6′, etc.,and individual numerical values, such as ‘1’, ‘1.3’, ‘2’, ‘2.8’, ‘3’,‘3.5’, ‘4’, ‘4.6’, ‘5’, ‘5.2’, and ‘6’, within the stated or describednumerical range of from 1 to 6′. This applies regardless of thenumerical breadth, extent, or size, of the stated or described numericalrange.

Moreover, for stating or describing a numerical range, the phrase ‘in arange of between about a first numerical value and about a secondnumerical value’, is considered equivalent to, and meaning the same as,the phrase ‘in a range of from about a first numerical value to about asecond numerical value’, and, thus, the two equivalently meaning phrasesmay be used interchangeably. For example, for stating or describing thenumerical range of room temperature, the phrase ‘room temperature refersto a temperature in a range of between about 20° C. and about 25° C.’,is considered equivalent to, and meaning the same as, the phrase ‘roomtemperature refers to a temperature in a range of from about 20° C. toabout 25° C.’.

Steps or procedures, sub-steps or sub-procedures, and, equipment andmaterials, system units, system sub-units, devices, assemblies,sub-assemblies, mechanisms, structures, components, elements, andconfigurations, and, peripheral equipment, utilities, accessories,chemical reagents, and materials, as well as operation andimplementation, of exemplary embodiments, alternative embodiments,specific configurations, and, additional and optional aspects,characteristics, or features, thereof, according to the presentinvention, are better understood with reference to the followingillustrative description and accompanying drawings. Throughout thefollowing illustrative description and accompanying drawings, samereference notation and terminology (i.e., numbers, letters, or/andsymbols), refer to same system units, system sub-units, devices,assemblies, sub-assemblies, mechanisms, structures, components,elements, and configurations, and, peripheral equipment, utilities,chemical reagents, accessories, and materials, components, elements,or/and parameters.

According to a main aspect of some embodiments of the present invention,there is provision of a method for safely processing a fluid, herein,also referred to as ‘the safe fluid processing method’. According toanother main aspect of some embodiments of the present invention, thereis provision of a corresponding system for safely processing a fluid,herein, also referred to as ‘the safe fluid processing system’.According to another main aspect of some embodiments of the presentinvention, there is provision of a method for monitoring and decreasingexplosiveness of a vapor-gas. According to another main aspect of someembodiments of the present invention, there is provision of acorresponding vapor-gas explosiveness monitoring and processing unit,for monitoring and decreasing explosiveness of a vapor-gas.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a (block-type) flow diagram ofan exemplary embodiment of the main steps (procedures) of the method(‘the safe fluid processing method’) for safely processing a fluid viamonitoring and decreasing explosiveness of vapor-gas species formedtherefrom, or contained therein, in accordance with the presentinvention. In FIG. 1, each main step (procedure) of the method forsafely processing a fluid is enclosed inside a separate block (frame)which is assigned a reference number. Accordingly, main steps(procedures) (a), (b), (c), and (d), are enclosed inside of blocks(frames) 2, 4, 6, and 8, respectively. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagramillustrating an exemplary embodiment of the main components of thesystem (‘the safe fluid processing system’) for safely processing afluid via monitoring and decreasing explosiveness of vapor-gas speciesformed therefrom, or contained therein, which can be used forimplementing the exemplary embodiment of the method for safelyprocessing a fluid (as presented in FIG. 1), in accordance with thepresent invention.

Some embodiments of the method for safely processing a fluid viamonitoring and decreasing explosiveness of vapor-gas species formedtherefrom, or contained therein, in accordance with the presentinvention, are implemented by appropriately designing, configuring,constructing, and operating, a corresponding system, such as safe fluidprocessing system 10 shown in FIG. 2, for performing main Steps (a),(b), (c), and (d), shown in blocks (frames) 2, 4, 6, and 8,respectively, in FIG. 1, and various sub-steps thereof. For performingmain steps (a), (b), (c), and (d), of some embodiments of the safe fluidprocessing method, safe fluid processing system 10 includes the maincomponents of: a fluid input unit 12, a first fluid processing unit 14,a vapor-gas explosiveness monitoring and decreasing unit 16, and asecond fluid processing unit 18. Some embodiments of the safe fluidprocessing method further include: receiving and transporting theprocessed vapor-gas product, by an output unit 20. Some embodiments ofthe safe fluid processing method further include: centrally processcontrolling each of the steps of the method, by a central processcontrol unit 22.

Some embodiments of safe fluid processing system 10 are appropriatelydesigned, constructed, and operative, such that some embodiments of thesafe fluid processing method are implemented according to any of avariety of different specific modes of real time or near real time,off-line, on-line, in-line, continuous, or discontinuous (batch, orstaggered), processing of a (liquid or vapor-gas) fluid (herein,referred to as source fluid 24 supplied by, or obtained from, a fluidsource 26. Relevant structure and function (operation) of each maincomponent (and components thereof), and synchronized operation of thecombination of the main components (and components thereof), of someembodiments of safe fluid processing system 10 are illustrativelydescribed hereinbelow in the context of illustratively describing themain steps (procedures) of some embodiments of the safe fluid processingmethod.

With reference to FIG. 1, along with reference to FIG. 2, someembodiments of a method for safely processing a fluid, include thefollowing main steps or procedures, and, components and functionalitiesthereof: (a) (block 2, FIG. 1) receiving and transporting the fluid, forexample, source fluid 24 (supplied by, or obtained from, a fluid source26), by fluid input unit 12 (operatively connected to fluid source 26);(b) (block 4, FIG. 1) processing the fluid (in FIG. 2, referred to asfluid 28, corresponding to source fluid 24 having been subjected to anytype or kind, and number, of pre-treatment steps (procedures)), forforming a processed fluid including a vapor-gas portion 30, by firstfluid processing unit 14 (operatively connected to fluid input unit 12);(c) (block 6, FIG. 1) measuring at least an indication of explosivenesslevel of vapor-gas portion 30, wherein if the measurement of vapor-gasportion 30 exceeds a pre-determined threshold explosiveness level(PDTEL), then part of vapor-gas portion 30 is condensed, for forming acondensate, and an output vapor-gas 32 whose explosiveness level is lessthan lower explosion limit (LEL) of output vapor-gas 32, by vapor-gasexplosiveness monitoring and decreasing unit 16 (operatively connectedto first fluid processing unit 14); and (d) (block 8, FIG. 1) processingoutput vapor-gas 32, for forming processed vapor-gas product 34, bysecond fluid processing unit 18 (operatively connected to vapor-gasexplosiveness monitoring and decreasing unit 16).

Some embodiments of the safe fluid processing method further include:receiving and transporting processed vapor-gas product 34, by outputunit 20 (operatively connected to second fluid processing unit 18).Processed vapor-gas product 34 is transported out of output unit 20 inthe form of (vapor-gas, liquid, or/and solid) output products 36, fordisposal, storage, or/and additional processing.

Some embodiments of the safe fluid processing method further include:centrally process controlling each of the steps of the method, bycentral process control unit 22 (operatively connected to each of fluidinput unit 12, first fluid processing unit 14, vapor-gas explosivenessmonitoring and decreasing unit 16, second fluid processing unit 18, andoptionally, output unit 20).

Similarly, with reference to FIG. 2, along with reference to FIG. 1,some embodiments of a corresponding system (safe fluid processing system10) for safely processing a fluid, for example, source fluid 24(supplied by, or obtained from, fluid source 26), include the followingmain components and functionalities thereof: fluid input unit 12,configured for receiving and transporting source fluid 24 (block 2, FIG.1); first fluid processing unit 14, configured for being operativelyconnected to fluid input unit 12, for receiving and processing fluid 26,and for forming a processed fluid including a vapor-gas portion 30(block 4, FIG. 1); vapor-gas explosiveness monitoring and decreasingunit 16, configured for being operatively connected to first fluidprocessing unit 14, for receiving, and, for measuring at least anindication of explosiveness level of, vapor-gas portion 30, wherein ifthe measurement of vapor-gas portion 30 exceeds a pre-determinedthreshold explosiveness level (PDTEL), then part of vapor-gas portion 30is condensed, for forming a condensate, and an output vapor-gas 32 whoseexplosiveness level is less than lower explosion limit (LEL) of outputvapor-gas 32 (block 6, FIG. 1); and second fluid processing unit 18,configured for being operatively connected to vapor-gas explosivenessmonitoring and processing unit 16, for receiving and processing outputvapor-gas 32, and for forming processed vapor-gas product 34 (block 8,FIG. 1).

Some embodiments of the safe fluid processing system further include:output unit 20, configured for being operatively connected to secondfluid processing unit 18, for receiving and transporting processedvapor-gas product 34. Processed vapor-gas product 34 is transported outof output unit 20 in the form of (vapor-gas, liquid, or/and solid)output products 36, for disposal, storage, or/and additional processing.

Some embodiments of the safe fluid processing system further include:central process control unit 22, configured for being operativelyconnected to each of fluid input unit 12, first fluid processing unit14, vapor-gas explosiveness monitoring and decreasing unit 16, secondfluid processing unit 18, and optionally, output unit 20, for enablingcentral process control of each of these system units.

In some embodiments of a method for safely processing a fluid, main step(c) (block 6, FIG. 1), measuring at least an indication of explosivenesslevel of vapor-gas portion 30, wherein if the measurement of vapor-gasportion 30 exceeds a pre-determined threshold explosiveness level(PDTEL), then part of vapor-gas portion 30 is condensed, for forming acondensate, and an output vapor-gas 32 whose explosiveness level is lessthan lower explosion limit (LEL) of output vapor-gas 32, by vapor-gasexplosiveness monitoring and decreasing unit 16 (FIG. 2), corresponds toa sub-combination of the overall safe fluid processing method.Therefore, the present invention, in some embodiments thereof, alsofeatures a method for monitoring and decreasing explosiveness of avapor-gas.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment ofthe main components of vapor-gas explosiveness monitoring and decreasingunit 16, included in the exemplary embodiment of safe fluid processingsystem 10 illustrated in FIG. 2. With reference to FIG. 3, someembodiments of the method for monitoring and decreasing explosiveness ofa vapor-gas include the following main steps or procedures, and,components and functionalities thereof: receiving and transporting thevapor-gas (for example, in FIG. 3 referred to as vapor-gas (portion) 29,corresponding to either vapor-gas portion 30 referenced in FIG. 2, orcorresponding to a different vapor-gas fed into vapor-gas explosivenessmonitoring and decreasing unit 16), by a vapor-gas input assembly 40;measuring at least an indication of explosiveness level (EL) of thevapor-gas (in FIG. 3, referred to as vapor-gas 31, corresponding tovapor-gas (portion) 29 having been subjected to any type or kind, andnumber, of pre-treatment steps (procedures)), wherein if the measurement(EL) of vapor-gas 31 exceeds a pre-determined threshold explosivenesslevel (PDTEL), then part of vapor-gas 31 is condensed (for example, viaa vapor-gas condensing device 42), for forming a condensate 44, and anoutput vapor-gas 46 whose explosiveness level (EL) is less than lowerexplosion limit (LEL) of output vapor-gas 46, by a vapor-gasexplosiveness level measuring mechanism 50 (operatively connected tovapor-gas input assembly 40, for example, via vapor-gas condensingdevice 42); and receiving and transporting output vapor-gas 46, by avapor-gas output assembly 52 (operatively connected to vapor-gasexplosiveness level measuring mechanism 50, for example, via vapor-gascondensing device 42).

According to the preceding embodiment, vapor-gas condensing device 42,which is operatively connected to vapor-gas input assembly 40, tovapor-gas explosiveness level measuring mechanism 50, and to vapor-gasoutput assembly 52, is activated (in FIG. 3, indicated by the bolddashed line 54 extending between, and connecting, vapor-gas condensingdevice 42 and vapor-gas explosiveness level measuring mechanism 50) byvapor-gas explosiveness level measuring mechanism 50, for condensingpart of vapor-gas 31, for forming a condensate 44, and output vapor-gas46 whose explosiveness level (EL) is less than lower explosion limit(LEL) of output vapor-gas 46.

Alternatively, if the measurement (EL) of vapor-gas 31 ‘does not’ exceedthe pre-determined threshold explosiveness level (PDTEL), then vapor-gas31 ‘is not’ condensed (for example, by passing through vapor-gascondensing device 42 according to a non-condensing configuration or modeof operation), for forming (non-condensed) output vapor-gas 31 whoseexplosiveness level (EL) is less than lower explosion limit (LEL) ofoutput vapor-gas 31, by vapor-gas explosiveness level measuringmechanism 50 (operatively connected to vapor-gas input assembly 40); andreceiving and transporting output vapor-gas 31, by vapor-gas outputassembly 52 (operatively connected to vapor-gas explosiveness levelmeasuring mechanism 50).

As illustrated in FIG. 3, measuring the explosiveness level (EL) ofvapor-gas 31 can be performed according to either one of two differentpossible alternative modes. According to a first mode, as indicated inFIG. 3 by dashed arrow 56, measuring at least an indication of theexplosiveness level (EL) of vapor-gas 31 (or 46) is performed at aposition or location downstream from (i.e., after) vapor-gas condensingdevice 42, at a time after vapor-gas 31 (or 46) exits vapor-gascondensing device 42, but at a position or location upstream from (i.e.,before) vapor-gas output assembly 52, at a time before vapor-gas 31 (or46) enters vapor-gas output assembly 52. According to a second mode,measuring at least an indication of the explosiveness level (EL) ofvapor-gas 31 is first performed at a position or location downstreamfrom (i.e., after) vapor-gas input assembly 40, at a time aftervapor-gas 31 exits vapor-gas input assembly 40, but at a position orlocation upstream from (i.e., before) vapor-gas condensing device 42, ata time before vapor-gas 31 enters vapor-gas condensing device 42, asindicated in FIG. 3 by dashed arrow 58, AND is also performed at aposition or location downstream from (i.e., after) vapor-gas condensingdevice 42, at a time after vapor-gas 31 (or 46) exits vapor-gascondensing device 42, but at a position or location upstream from (i.e.,before) vapor-gas output assembly 52, at a time before vapor-gas 31 (or46) enters vapor-gas output assembly 52 (dashed arrow 56).

According to either mode, measuring at least an indication of theexplosiveness level (EL) of vapor-gas 31 (or 46) is performed at aposition or location downstream from (i.e., after) vapor-gas condensingdevice 42, at a time after vapor-gas 31 (or 46) exits vapor-gascondensing device 42, but at a position or location upstream from (i.e.,before) vapor-gas output assembly 52, and at a time before vapor-gas 31(or 46) enters vapor-gas output assembly 52 (dashed arrow 54). It iscritically important for vapor-gas explosiveness level measuringmechanism 50 to measure at least an indication of, and preferablydetermine, the explosiveness level (EL) of vapor-gas 31, followed bycomparing the measurement (EL) of vapor-gas 31 to the pre-determinedthreshold explosiveness level (PDTEL), in order to then determinewhether or not the measurement (EL) of vapor-gas 31 exceeds thepre-determined threshold explosiveness level (PDTEL), at a position orlocation upstream from (i.e., before) vapor-gas output assembly 52, at atime before vapor-gas 31 enters vapor-gas output assembly 52 (dashedarrow 56). Such procedure is performed in order to prevent thepossibility of an ‘unsafe’ scenario and accompanying conditions whereinvapor-gas 31 having an explosiveness level (EL) exceeding thepre-determined threshold explosiveness level (PDTEL), passes through andexits vapor-gas output assembly 52, followed by entering second fluidprocessing unit 18 (FIG. 1), where processing of vapor-gas 31 by secondfluid processing unit 18 could lead to an explosion caused by combustion(ignition, burning) of such explosive vapor-gas 31.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the pre-determinedthreshold explosiveness level (PDTEL) is equal to 75% (0.75) of the LEL(Lower Explosion Limit) of the vapor-gas. In some embodiments of thepresent invention, the pre-determined threshold explosiveness level(PDTEL) is equal to 50% (0.50) of the LEL (Lower Explosion Limit) of thevapor-gas. In some embodiments of the present invention, thepre-determined threshold explosiveness level (PDTEL) is equal to 25%(0.25) of the LEL (Lower Explosion Limit) of the vapor-gas.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment ofthe vapor-gas explosiveness monitoring and decreasing unit 16 (asillustrated in FIG. 3), shown operatively connected to (optional)additional fluid processing components (for example, a condensatecollection tank 60, a distilling device 62, and a condensing device 64),in accordance with the present invention.

According to an embodiment shown in FIG. 4, either during, or followingactivation and operation of vapor-gas explosiveness monitoring anddecreasing unit 16, and of vapor-gas condensing device 48, condensate 44exits from condensing device 48, and enters condensate collection tank60, for collection. Collected condensate 44 is then fed into distillingdevice 62, for distillation. The distillate generated by distillingdevice 62 is then fed into condensing device 64, for forming acondensate. This condensate is then fed into second fluid processingunit 18, and is used by second fluid processing unit 18 for processingoutput vapor-gas 46 (or 31).

According to another embodiment shown in FIG. 4, either during, orfollowing activation and operation of vapor-gas explosiveness monitoringand decreasing unit 16, and of vapor-gas condensing device 48,condensate 44 exits from condensing device 48, and enters condensatecollection tank 60, for collection. As indicated by dashed arrowreferenced by 65, collected condensate 44 is then directly fed intosecond fluid processing unit 18, and is used by second fluid processingunit 18 for processing output vapor-gas 46 (or 31).

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment ofthe main components, and additional fluid processing components, of asystem (safe (liquid) fluid processing system 70) for safely processing(decontaminating, purifying) a contaminated (liquid) fluid, such ascontaminated water (wastewater), via monitoring and decreasingexplosiveness of vapor-gas species formed therefrom, which can be usedfor implementing the exemplary embodiment of the method presented inFIG. 1, in accordance with the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 5, along with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3,some embodiments of safe (liquid) fluid processing system 70) for safelyprocessing (decontaminating, purifying) a contaminated (liquid) fluid,such as contaminated water (wastewater), for example, supplied by, orobtained from, fluid (liquid) source 72, include the following maincomponents and functionalities thereof: fluid (liquid) input unit 74,configured for receiving and transporting the (liquid) fluid (block 2,FIG. 1); first fluid (liquid) processing unit 76, configured for beingoperatively connected to fluid (liquid) input unit 74, for receiving andprocessing the (liquid) fluid, and for forming a processed (liquid)fluid including a vapor-gas portion 78 (block 4, FIG. 1); vapor-gasexplosiveness monitoring and decreasing unit 16, configured for beingoperatively connected to first fluid (liquid) processing unit 76, forreceiving, and, for measuring at least an indication of explosivenesslevel of, vapor-gas portion 78, wherein if the measurement of vapor-gasportion 78 exceeds a pre-determined threshold explosiveness level(PDTEL), then part of vapor-gas portion 78 is condensed, for forming acondensate 80, and an output vapor-gas 82 whose explosiveness level isless than lower explosion limit (LEL) of output vapor-gas 82 (block 6,FIG. 1); and second fluid (vapor-gas) processing unit 84, configured forbeing operatively connected to vapor-gas explosiveness monitoring andprocessing unit 16, for receiving and processing output vapor-gas 82,and for forming a processed vapor-gas product, for example, hot gases86, (block 8, FIG. 1).

In some embodiments of safe (liquid) fluid processing system 70,processed vapor-gas product (hot gases) 86 is fed into a (non-aqueous)heat exchanger and a (water) heat exchanger, for use in continuedoperation of safe (liquid) fluid processing system 70 for processing(decontaminating, purifying) the contaminated (liquid) fluid(contaminated water (wastewater)).

Some embodiments of safe (liquid) fluid processing system 70 furtherinclude: output unit 88, configured for being operatively connected tosecond fluid (vapor-gas) processing unit 84, for receiving andtransporting exhaust gas 90 from second fluid (vapor-gas) processingunit 84, for example, via a vent 92.

Some embodiments of safe (liquid) fluid processing system 70 furtherinclude a central process control unit (for example, 22, FIG. 2),configured for being operatively connected to each of fluid (liquid)input unit 74, first fluid (liquid) processing unit 76, vapor-gasexplosiveness monitoring and decreasing unit 16, second fluid(vapor-gas) processing unit 84, and optionally, output unit 88, forenabling central process control of each of these system units.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the exemplary embodiment of safe (liquid) fluidprocessing system 70, second fluid (vapor-gas) processing unit 84includes an oxidizer 94, such as a thermal oxidizer (for example, aregenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO), [e.g., as disclosed in references1, 2]), for thermally oxidizing, and therefore, for thermallydestroying, the vapor-gas phase volatile (combustible) watercontaminants contained in output vapor-gas 82.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment ofthe main components, and additional fluid processing components, of asystem (safe (vapor-gas) fluid processing system 100) for safelyprocessing (decontaminating, purifying) a contaminated (vapor-gas)fluid, such as contaminated air (waste exhaust), via monitoring anddecreasing explosiveness of vapor-gas species contained therein, whichcan be used for implementing the exemplary embodiment of the methodpresented in FIG. 1, in accordance with the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 6, along with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3,some embodiments of safe (vapor-gas) fluid processing system 100) forsafely processing (decontaminating, purifying) a contaminated(vapor-gas) fluid, such as contaminated air (waste exhaust), forexample, supplied by, or obtained from, fluid (vapor-gas) source 102,include the following main components and functionalities thereof: fluid(vapor-gas) input unit 104, configured for receiving and transportingthe (vapor-gas) fluid (block 2, FIG. 1); first fluid (vapor-gas)processing unit 106, configured for being operatively connected to fluid(vapor-gas) input unit 104, for receiving and processing the (vapor-gas)fluid, and for forming a processed (vapor-gas) fluid including avapor-gas portion 108 (block 4, FIG. 1); vapor-gas explosivenessmonitoring and decreasing unit 16, configured for being operativelyconnected to first fluid (vapor-gas) processing unit 106, for receiving,and, for measuring at least an indication of explosiveness level of,vapor-gas portion 108, wherein if the measurement of vapor-gas portion108 exceeds a pre-determined threshold explosiveness level (PDTEL), thenpart of vapor-gas portion 108 is condensed, for forming a condensate110, and an output vapor-gas 112 whose explosiveness level is less thanlower explosion limit (LEL) of output vapor-gas 112 (block 6, FIG. 1);and second fluid (vapor-gas) processing unit 114, configured for beingoperatively connected to vapor-gas explosiveness monitoring andprocessing unit 16, for receiving and processing output vapor-gas 112,and for forming a processed vapor-gas product, for example, hot gases116, (block 8, FIG. 1).

In some embodiments of safe (vapor-gas) fluid processing system 100,processed vapor-gas product (hot gases) 116 is fed into a (water) heatexchanger, for use in continued operation of safe (vapor-gas) fluidprocessing system 100 for processing (decontaminating, purifying) thecontaminated (vapor-gas) fluid (contaminated air (waste exhaust)).

Some embodiments of safe (vapor-gas) fluid processing system 100 furtherinclude: output unit 118, configured for being operatively connected tosecond fluid (vapor-gas) processing unit 114, for receiving andtransporting exhaust gas 120 from second fluid (vapor-gas) processingunit 114, for example, via a vent 122.

Some embodiments of safe (vapor-gas) fluid processing system 100 furtherinclude a central process control unit (for example, 22, FIG. 2),configured for being operatively connected to each of fluid (vapor-gas)input unit 104, first fluid (vapor-gas) processing unit 106, vapor-gasexplosiveness monitoring and decreasing unit 16, second fluid(vapor-gas) processing unit 114, and optionally, output unit 118, forenabling central process control of each of these system units.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the exemplary embodiment of safe (vapor-gas)fluid processing system 100, second fluid (vapor-gas) processing unit114 includes an oxidizer 124, such as a thermal oxidizer (for example, aregenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO), [e.g., as disclosed in references1, 2]), for thermally oxidizing, and therefore, for thermallydestroying, the vapor-gas phase volatile (combustible) air (wasteexhaust) contaminants contained in output vapor-gas 110.

EXAMPLE (PROPHETIC)

Selected embodiments of the present invention, including novel andinventive aspects, characteristics, special technical features, andadvantages thereof, as illustratively described hereinabove, and asclaimed in the claims section hereinbelow, are exemplified and haveexperimental support in the following (prophetic) example, which is notintended to be limiting.

For this (prophetic) example, reference is made to FIG. 5, a schematicdiagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the main components, andadditional fluid processing components, of a system for safelyprocessing (decontaminating, purifying) a contaminated (liquid) fluid,such as contaminated water (wastewater), via monitoring and decreasingexplosiveness of vapor-gas species formed therefrom, which can be usedfor implementing the exemplary embodiment of the method presented inFIG. 1, in accordance with the present invention.

A steam stripper produces 2000 m³ 90° C. exhaust/hour, including 317kilogram VOC/hour and about 400 kilogram water/hour.

Vapor-gas exiting the steam stripper is directed as a process vapor-gasto a three-chambered RTO (regenerative thermal oxidizer) having acapacity to safely dispose of not more than 9 gram VOC/m³ as a mixtureof air as an oxidation agent and the organic vapors which is 25% of theLEL (Lower Explosion Limit).

A water-cooled vapor-gas condensing device, operatively connected to avapor-gas input assembly, to a vapor-gas explosiveness level measuringmechanism, and to a vapor-gas output assembly, as illustratedhereinabove in FIG. 3, is placed before the process gas inlet of the RTOupstream of the oxidation agent inlet. Water having a temperature of 30°C. is passed through the condenser, leading to formation of a 320kilogram/hour condensate having a 1:1 weight ratio of water to VOC(volatile organic compounds).

The process vapor-gas from which the condensate is removed enters theRTO with a concentration of 9 gram VOC/m³ after mixing with anadditional 15000 m³/hour of air at 120° C. (heated using the heatproduced by combustion with the help of a heat exchanger) as anoxidation agent through the main RTO inlet. The mixture of processvapor-gas with oxidation agent passes through a heating heat exchangerof the RTO to absorb heat, but does not explode as the VOC concentrationis well below the LEL and then enters the combustion chamber of the RTO.

Concurrently with the passage of the process vapor-gas/oxidation agentmixture through the combustion chamber, the condensate is injecteddirectly into the combustion chamber of the RTO as an atomized spray. Assufficient oxidation agent has been introduced as air, there issufficient oxidation agent to allow oxidation of all the VOC.

In such a way, substantially all of the VOC in the steam stripperexhaust is destroyed and not released into the atmosphere andsubstantially all the heat from the combustion of the VOC is recoveredbut the process vapor-gas in the heating heat exchanger of the RTO neverexceeds safe limits, so there is little risk of an explosion.

Above, embodiments have been discussed with reference to a two-bed RTO.In embodiments, the present invention is implemented with a three-bed orgreater bed RTO.

It is to be fully understood that certain aspects, characteristics, andfeatures, of the present invention, which are illustratively describedand presented in the context or format of a plurality of separateembodiments, may also be illustratively described and presented in anysuitable combination or sub-combination in the context or format of asingle embodiment. Conversely, various aspects, characteristics, andfeatures, of the present invention, which are illustratively describedand presented in combination or sub-combination in the context or formatof a single embodiment, may also be illustratively described andpresented in the context or format of a plurality of separateembodiments.

Although the invention has been illustratively described and presentedby way of specific embodiments, and examples thereof, it is evident thatmany alternatives, modifications, and variations, thereof, will beapparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended thatall such alternatives, modifications, and variations, fall within, andare encompassed by, the scope of the appended claims.

All patents, patent applications, and publications, cited or referred toin this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety byreference into the specification, to the same extent as if eachindividual patent, patent application, or publication, was specificallyand individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. Inaddition, citation or identification of any reference in thisspecification shall not be construed or understood as an admission thatsuch reference represents or corresponds to prior art of the presentinvention. To the extent that section headings are used, they should notbe construed as necessarily limiting.

REFERENCES

-   1. U.S. Pat. No. 7,455,781, to Levin, of same applicant/assignee as    the present invention, entitled: “Method And system Of Destruction    Of Volatile Compounds In Wastewater”.-   2. WIPO PCT Pat. Appl. Intl. Pub. No. WO 2008/026196, published Mar.    6, 2008, of PCT Pat. Appl. No. PCT/IL2006/001016, filed Aug. 31,    2006, of same applicant/assignee as the present invention, entitled:    “Method And Device For Waste-water Purification”.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system for safely processing a fluid,comprising: a fluid input unit, for receiving and transporting thefluid; a first fluid processing unit, operatively connected to saidfluid input unit, for receiving and processing the fluid, and forforming a processed fluid including a vapor-gas portion; a vapor-gasexplosiveness monitoring and decreasing unit, including a vapor-gascondensing device, operatively connected to said first fluid processingunit, for receiving, and, for measuring at least an indication ofexplosiveness level of, said vapor-gas portion, wherein if saidmeasurement of the vapor-gas portion exceeds a pre-determined thresholdexplosiveness level (PDTEL), then said vapor-gas condensing devicecondenses part of said vapor-gas portion, for forming a condensate, andan output vapor-gas whose explosiveness level is less than lowerexplosion limit (LEL) of said output vapor-gas; and a second fluidprocessing unit, operatively connected to said vapor-gas explosivenessmonitoring and processing unit, for receiving and processing said outputvapor-gas, and for forming processed vapor-gas product.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein said pre-determined threshold explosiveness level(PDTEL) is equal to 75% (0.75) of said LEL (lower explosion limit) ofsaid vapor-gas portion.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein saidpre-determined threshold explosiveness level (PDTEL) is equal to 50%(0.50) of said LEL (lower explosion limit) of said vapor-gas portion. 4.The system of claim 1, wherein said pre-determined thresholdexplosiveness level (PDTEL) is equal to 25% (0.25) of said LEL (lowerexplosion limit) of said vapor-gas portion.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein if said measurement of said vapor-gas portion does not exceedsaid pre-determined threshold explosiveness level (PDTEL), then saidvapor-gas portion is not condensed, for forming (non-condensed) outputvapor-gas whose said explosiveness level is less than said lowerexplosion limit (LEL) of said output vapor-gas.
 6. The system of claim1, wherein said vapor-gas condensing device is activated by a vapor-gasexplosiveness level measuring mechanism.
 7. The system of claim 1,wherein said measuring is performed by a vapor-gas explosiveness levelmeasuring mechanism.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein said measuring isperformed at a position or location downstream from a vapor-gascondensing device, at a time after said output vapor-gas exits avapor-gas condensing device.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein saidmeasuring is also performed at a position or location upstream from avapor-gas output assembly, at a time before said output vapor-gas entersa vapor-gas output assembly.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein saidmeasuring is first performed at a position or location downstream from avapor-gas input assembly, at a time after said vapor-gas portion exits avapor-gas input assembly.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein saidmeasuring is also performed at a position or location upstream from avapor-gas condensing device, at a time before said vapor-gas portionenters said vapor-gas condensing device.
 12. The system of claim 11,wherein said measuring is also performed at a position or locationdownstream from said vapor-gas condensing device, at a time after saidoutput vapor-gas exits said vapor-gas condensing device.
 13. The systemof claim 1, wherein said processing of said output vapor-gas isperformed by an oxidizer.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein saidoxidizer is a thermal oxidizer.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein saidthermal oxidizer is a regenerative thermal oxidizer.
 16. The system ofclaim 1, wherein said second fluid processing unit includes an oxidizer.17. A vapor-gas explosiveness monitoring and decreasing unit formonitoring and decreasing explosiveness of a vapor-gas, comprising: avapor-gas input assembly, for receiving and transporting the vapor-gas;a vapor-gas condensing device, operatively connected to said vapor-gasinput assembly, for receiving and transporting the vapor-gas; avapor-gas explosiveness level measuring mechanism, operatively connectedto said vapor-gas condensing device, for measuring at least anindication of explosiveness level of the vapor-gas, wherein if saidmeasurement of the vapor-gas exceeds a pre-determined thresholdexplosiveness level (PDTEL), then said vapor-gas condensing devicecondenses part of the vapor-gas for forming a condensate, and an outputvapor-gas whose explosiveness level is less than lower explosion limit(LEL) of said output vapor-gas; and a vapor-gas output assembly,operatively connected to said vapor-gas condensing device, for receivingand transporting said output vapor-gas.